Elections As Economic Development

Maybe upstate needs some more special elections like Tuesday’s upcoming 48th SD race.

I noticed that things are unusually, even for a snowy Friday during Presidents Week, quiet around the Capitol today and I’m told there are gobs of Senate staffers, both Republican and Democrat heading to or already set up in that North Country Senate district which runs roughly north of Syracuse and includes Oswego and Watertown.

Indeed, a check with one of the front desk clerks at the Oswego’s 93-room Econo Lodge revealed them to be sold out Saturday through Tuesday, despite the fact that it’s in the middle of what she termed the “slow season” and that SUNY Oswego is on break this week. She said the situation was the same over at the Best Western.

Watertown is also seeing an influx of visitors, although it’s not solely due to the campaign. Deb Near, manager of that town’s 90-room Hampton Inn said they are sold out for Monday and Tuesday although that’s due to contractors working at the Army’s nearby Ft. Drum.